niggard
pronunciation
How to pronounce niggard in British English:
UK ['nɪgəd]
How to pronounce niggard in American English:
US [ˈnɪɡəd]
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- Noun:
- a selfish person who is unwilling to give or spend
Word Origin
- niggard (n.)
- "mean person, miser," late 14c., nygart, of uncertain origin. The suffix suggests French origin (see -ard), but the root word is possibly from earlier nig "stingy" (c. 1300), perhaps from a Scandinavian source related to Old Norse hnøggr "stingy," from Proto-Germanic *khnauwjaz (source of Swedish njugg "close, careful," German genau "precise, exact"), and to Old English hneaw "stingy, niggardly," which did not survive in Middle English.
Example
- 1. Don 't expect that niggard to invite you to dinner .
- 2. Never have we seen such a niggard like him !
- 3. The niggard : " no way . It seemed that I have to live . "
- 4. Riches are not comely for a covetous man and a niggard , and what should an envious man do with gold ?
- 5. The niggard went up to the chemist 's shop and said : " I am pessimistic , so give me two cent toxicants . "